The top 10 advantages of being an introvert

If there’s anything the world should take away from best selling books like The Introvert Advantage and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, it’s that there are definite positives to being an introvert.

We are quietly crawling out of the pit that Western society shoved us into in the 20th century and we’re finally getting the credit we deserve. In case you missed all the memos, here is a list of the top ten advantages of being an introvert right now.

1. We choose our words carefully so others don’t have to wade through a river of bullsh** to understand what we are saying.

2. We have imagination and rich inner worlds.

3. We are more likely to access our innermost thoughts and creative ideas because we embrace solitude.

4. We are capable of great focus, which comes in handy when completing pretty much any task that requires extended periods of concentration (advanced mathematics, writing, art, science, etc.).

5. We tend to process greater volumes of information in any given situation. It is for this reason that we tire more easily from overstimulation. For real -Google it!

6. We embody the old adage “you have two ears and one mouth for a reason”. Everyone likes to be listened to.

7. According to my research, most introverts tend to carefully think things through before acting, which has obvious advantages. Personally, I don’t fit into this category because I tend to take a more intuitive, emotional approach to decision making (anyone else out there like me?).

8. We can be quite observant of both environmental and social subtleties. While others are yammering away, we’re taking everything in and processing it in our ever-active minds.

9. We are well-loved by landlords and the elderly for our quiet, peaceful nature (ever seen an advertisement for a loud, wild, party-loving tenant? Didn’t think so).

10. No longer banished to the world of trolls, hobbits and prudish librarians, we can now bust free from stereotypes and show the world who we really are.

So, who are we? We are leaders and world-changers; we are dancers, actors, artists and performers; we are scientists, lovers of logic and left-brained geniuses; we are dreamers, adventurers, travelers and enlightenment seekers.

We are introvert revolutionists, striving to change the world in our own quiet way.

37 Comments

I love this blog. I grew up an introvert and later succumbed to the pressure to be an extrovert. Same thing happened to my mom. When I first saw Cain’s Ted Talk about “Quiet” months ago, I finally realized what had happened. My introverted self had been squashed by societal pressure. I’m slowly gaining her back. Remembering my introverted self unleashed, basically the person I was before high school, gave me a lot of confidence later in life. When I was just a kid, I was a comic book artist, taught myself Japanese, and wrote novels. Later when I was having trouble focusing, I was able to remember that I was able to do these things. Back in the days when I didn’t shame myself for locking myself away for hours working on my projects.

The pressure is still on to socialize – even when I tell people I need alone time – but I’m getting better at honoring my introverted needs.

And yes, you can be an introvert and be guided by intuition. Perhaps you’re an INFP like me?

Thanks for your comment Alexandra 🙂 It’s really troubling to know that so many people (myself included) have kept their greatest gifts hidden because of the pressure to behave as an extrovert. Yes, even when we recognize this, the tug of war continues and feelings of guilt are difficult to avoid. At least we know we’re not the only ones. Yes, I think I must be an INFP. Haven’t gotten around to taking the test yet, but all signs point in that direction.

Me too……I never knew why I was different, people didn’t understand why I behaved the way I was therefore I struggled to be an extrovert until last year where I came across an article about introverts. …it resonated perfectly with me….Now I walk more confidently coz I know who I am and I am not afraid.

Well put. I recently read the notes that my teachers wrote on my report cards when I was in grade school and junior high back in the 60’s. There were a couple notes about my problem with daydreaming… thank goodness, they weren’t successful with fixing that ‘flaw’ in my character. I still daydresm.

this is me to a tee..I love being alone..yet I daydream about being outgoing…I never answer a phone,I need to prepare to talk,…I’d like to say I’ll get back to you with a response, and think about it for a while,hours later I will have a response, it just comes to me…someone please respond

I don’t think it’s wise to claim such a grand thing. To us introverts, the heavy lifting is going out and leading teams and socializing with everyone all the time and constantly pushing our boundaries to see our limits… Those are things extroverts naturally excel at.

My gosh. I just found this website. What you have said is so profound to me. I am constantly making plans in my head but have trouble implementing them. I admire my extroverted friends because they make a plan and boom, they do it, like it’s no big deal while I’ m thinking about all of the “what ifs”. Thank you!

I’m an INFP and I find myself hibernating a lot. I’m good at writing but not expressing verbally. I found growing up I pretended to be something I wasn’t to fit in. I didn’t fit in at all. I’ve been seen as weak and criticized for my want to be quiet and time doing what I like and that is enjoying my space and quiet.

I thought, i have a personality problems because I don’t think and act like most people do. They always see me as a weird person. I love being in a solitude and prefer to listen and observe than to talk.

I am in shock today I am sat having a coffee reading a article about introverts, i have never googled the meaning and as I am reading the 10 myths of introverts I am appearing, I always thought I was just weird ,enjoying alone time ,always standing back watching people .I am fifty years old how can you live that long with out realizing what you are .

7. According to my research, most introverts tend to carefully think things through before acting, which has obvious advantages. Personally, I don’t fit into this category because I tend to take a more intuitive, emotional approach to decision making (anyone else out there like me?).

My dear, it’s so intense that I feel as if I am those decision making moments. Everything is intuition based. So far so good. With more success and properly discerning events in my life, it only gets easier and more accurate. Proud of this ability 🙂

Hi. Im sorry, but are you seriously defending lacking social skills rather than trying to work with them? There isnt nothing wrong with being quiet or loving time with yourself, but as we live in society we need to interact with others. We are social beings, having social skills is actually vital for our good experience here in life. I probably will get hate messages, but please know that Im not trying to troll or insult here, Im really curious of why would somebody that lacks something would feel like doesnt need some ability or even feel proud of it. Have a nice day everyone!

If I don’t spend time alone in the woods I go crazy. I go to a small school (200 people small), so there are slim pickings for a girlfriend. They are all preppy and social media obsessed. I have seen great loss. I need help.

I discovered I was an introvert when iI did my teaching fellowship at UNC Chapel HIll. They used the Meyer’s Brigg test on all of us and told me I was the most introverted doctor they had ever tested, they wondered how I was able to see patients! I do remember having a lot of trouble in my clinicals, learning to talk to people…. Wish I had known I was an INTJ in high school, it would have been a big help.

I’ e spent most of the day on my balcony enjoying the beautiful weather and reading. My neighbors are out. I’m torn because I want to a good neighbor and I like them, but I’m really hoping I don’t have to go and talk to them. It is really pleasant alone on my balcony.

Imagine you are a big introvert who is an Officer in the military for the past 19 years. Talk about tough! Being myself is difficult because I have to “act” in order to fit the mold and be effective in my superiors minds. Only 4 years until retirement, and I can really be myself. But, I have always been and will always be a proud introvert. Happy alone with my thoughts, at peace with my own self. I forgo the daily get togethers that bathe in small talk and poking fun at each other. Most people are sizing you up or looking for a chink in your armor to make themselves feel better. I prefer the happiness and peace in my own mind and making an acquaintance with a good book.
Long walks in the woods vs. mall shopping. Sitting by a lake vs. sitting at a party. Reading vs. raving. Focusing on one woman vs. always looking.
Oh, the life of an introvert. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Silence allows you to find yourself in the midsts of all the crazy running around. Especially if you are a busy person, sometimes you get the feeling you are more of a human doing… than a human being… and silence will help you feel human again.